Joel McCrea! Randolph Scott! James Drury! BONANZA and more with Mariette Hartley! A WORD ON WESTERNS

Mariette Hartley remembers being scared to death of James Drury (April 18, 1934-April 6, 2020). Find out why as the award winning actress shares memories of meeting Drury on her very first movie, Sam Peckinpah's early classic, "Ride the High Country" (1962). Mariette portrayed Elsa, a sweet, naive and inexperienced farm girl who escapes from her repressive father to marry morally challenged Billy Hammond (Drury), mining gold with his psychotic brothers Warren Oates, L.Q. Jones, John Anderson and John Chandler Davis. Following their rowdy marriage ceremony, drunken Billy drags Elsa to bed. Being on location for a first film, one with violence, caused Mariette untold personal trauma. Fortunately, she found some comfort from the professionalism and friendship of the two leads, Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott, and that of a stranger. In this interview, Mariette reveals why she was so affected by the violence and how she dealt with it, later becoming friends with James Drury, and even appearing twice on his long running series, "The Virginian" (1962-1971), premiering the same year "Ride the High Country" was released. Mariette also discusses the laughs she had working with the fun Cartwright boys on "Bonanza." Four appearances! Mariette began her career at a young age on stage and never seems to stop working or delivering solid work. She is co-founder of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and is the author of several books. She honored us to discuss her work in the genre and was an early A WORD ON WESTERNS guest, September 17, 2014. To salute her friend and late co-star James Drury, this interview combines three past segments and has been re-edited to the current length for this special episode. R.I.P. Jim and thanks for being the kind of guy we can all look up to.
#interview #actress #sampeckinpah #classicmovies #ridethehighcountry #famouspeople #filmdirector #mariettehartley #randolphscott #joelmccrea #jamesdrury #awordonwesterns #robword #western #tvstar

[@Norton4577]

Jim Drury was a stud- another real man that acted in one of the greatest western series of all time- these men are irreplaceable RIP

[@MauiMedicineMan]

I've been a fan of Mariette Hartley for decades. A very enlightening interview that has made me appreciate her even more!

[@KutWrite]

I wonder if there's a Part Two. Sometimes Mr. Word cuts them up.

[@mrscrapper3331]

I always loved Marriette In Everything she was in... movies, commercials... what a beautiful and great actress!

[@terryrhyne9112]

I didn't know Mr Drury past away, I will be depressed all day knowing one of my all time favorite actors has left us. He may be at the end of the trail but he will forever be in our hearts.

[@mickeygriffiths460]

We never missed the Virginian. My family loved Westerns. So sorry to hear that another one of my hero's has passed on. Thank you for the interview.

[@coltgay4570]

Yeah this year has been rough, Robert Conrad, Ben Cooper, Stuart Whitman, and now James Drury. RIP!

[@fredlamprey8824]

Did not know Ben Cooper died. He was a great guest star on so many of the classic westerns.

[@dorothyphillips7023]

@Hunter Nowicki I didn't know Kenny Rodgers past

[@stephenannese8228]

.....add= Olivia DeHavilland, Wilford Brimley to the list, too,..*sad*.

[@beverlyhollenbeck3406]

Such a talented actress. Can’t imagine the life she’s had, and how she managed such dark times. Strong, amazing woman.

[@edithdavis2848]

Marvelous show, have loved Marietta, for ever. We keep lossing our Great Stars, Thank you for keeping them alive here .

[@JW...-oj5iw]

Spell correcter messed up Mariette's name for you.

[@tarnsand440]

Fortunately Mariette is very much alive. She was 80 June 2020. However this interview is 15-20 yrs old.

[@paulcochran1721]

She's a sweetheart. You never know what folks are living with.

[@augiegray6239]

Great interview!! To me Mariette Hartely is one of the most beautiful women ever! I am about 9 years younger than her, and was in love her the first time I saw her on the screen. On top of all that I can see that she is a great Lady!!

[@richardrosenthal9552]

Listening to Mariette Hartley was a revelation. I was a young man when I saw her in an episode of the Incredible Hulk. I thought she was so beautiful and talented. I had a crush on her. That made me go back and watch Ride The High Country. She was in so many TV shows and I think I watched them all. Hearing about how hard her life was was so sad. She was to me couldn’t have had those kind of problems. I am glad she wrote a book about her life and found her way to overcome her past. She still is one of the most beautiful and special actresses Hollywood ever had.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Richard. She sure is!

[@davidmahin874]

A great actor watched. Virginian as a kid he will be missed I'm going to watch it now

[@philipdavis5050]

A favorite moment of mine from Ride the High Country with James Drury was when he had to throw out his brother from their tent because Billy and Elsa would be "honeymoonin'" there. I love the line "I don't have time to explain it all to you now, brother; just get out!"

[@JSB1882]

I hadn't heard that James Drury died. He owned that role of the Virginian! Truly I loved seeing him in anything. He was one of those overlooked actors because he was so good at the craft.

[@francistubolino8810]

Glad to see she is doing well. Still beautiful!

[@PHARRAOH]

I always thought Mariette was one of the prettiest women on the big screen. She still is!

[@paulstan9828]

Very honest sensitive lady. Nice interview.

[@ElmoUnk1953]

I was fortunate to meet James Drury at a few Gun Shows in the Houston area. Really nice gentleman, very courteous and friendly to his fans.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Jim was always a pleasure, Andrew. The real deal!

[@ElmoUnk1953]

@@AWordonWesterns As many times as I’ve commented I was shocked 😳 I hadn’t subscribed, problem solved! 😁

[@grahamhill6340]

Rob's show is unique in that it gets it's guests to really open-up and humanize their careers for not just western fans, but for anybody... and Mariette Hartley, a person that isn't that "westernized" in the usual sense, is a good example of her feeling at home enough to disclose more than she ever would with any other interviewer. As for James Drury... I got to meet him at one of the HOLLYWOOD Celebrity fan shows, he personally autographed the back of an autographed collection frame containing all the main stars of THE VIRGINIAN series. At that time, I was working at 20th Century-Fox and his second wife Phyllis, who he had already divorced, worked in the sound department. She often talked about him with respect. James Drury had a great western style life both onscreen and off, and he had a very loyal fan following which he got to see on so many fan shows and conventions. He leaves behind one more empty saddle of great Western TV stars we grew up with... And Stuart Whitman having died earlier... what a great intro his show CIMARRON STRIP had with the helicopter shot of him riding down the slope at Lone Pine...and to get David Lean's music composer of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Maurice Jarre to do such a cracking score. Although not primarily known for western scores, he also did FIVE CARD STUD, POSSE and EL CONDOR.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks for your nice comments, Graham.

[@grahamhill6340]

I know you're a BIG John Wayne fan Rob... I put together a four-state Western movie location tour in 2018 that included the Grand Canyon and it's train; Monument Valley staying at both Gouldings 1nt. and the View 1nt.; Moab; Durango and its train; Bonanza Creek Ranch; Gallup; Canyon de Chelley and Sedona... BUTCH CASSIDY; THE SEARCHERS; TRUE GRIT; A DISTANT TRUMPET; BROKEN ARROW; THE COMANCHEROS; MACKENNA'S GOLD and so many other selected locales. My template schedule for the 2 week trip I've given to the BFI and so many other film groups and people. But my long research on the forty odd locations found like the shootout meadow for TRUE GRIT in Colorado, the town of Montrose... folks tell me it's the definitive location tour for western movie fans. I gave so many Studio Zone location tours for the AFI and the industry, Iversons Ranch in particular, produced a documentary on that one in 1995... that really is ground zero and the mother of all western locations. I always look forward to your shows.

[@SethKash]

Mariette Hartley looks like she’s forty. Still got it. Very underrated actress. Always did a great job on Gunsmoke especially the one where Matt discovers her out by herself and brings her to Dodge. She kept calling him “Dillon”the whole episode. Must have seen that episode 10 times. Well done Hartley. If so happens she views this, loved your red hair and freckles dear.

[@Elijahhaswings]

I remember her with the James Garner camera commercials, when I was a kid. I really thought they were married.

[@WillCamx]

My mother loved Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea but she loved James Drury even more. No matter what part he was playing or what film she always called him the Virginian.

[@gmack930]

Mariette is a great lady. Beautiful inside and out. Had the pleasure to meet her a few years back; even got a big hug!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, G.

[@intuitive7274]

Yes the era of great American western actors are sadly leaving us and the sad part is no longer are westerns being filmed. Let alone no actors to take the place of the all time greats.

[@robertbishop5357]

I'm saddened by the loss of The Virginian. He was such a wonderful actor and person. I remember him playing a bad guy in Gunsmoke, then there's the Magnificent 7. He gave us so much to remember him by. RIP Mr. Drury. He's now truly riding the High Country in Heaven.

[@wildbillharding]

The Magnificent Seven? Really?

[@robertbishop5357]

@@wildbillharding I stand corrected. It was Robert Fuller who replaced Steve McQueen as Vin in the Return of the 7. If offered I believe Drury could have easily handled that role.

[@wildbillharding]

I agree. He would have been fine in the part! I had the pleasure of meeting one of the Seven - Charles Bronson - back in the '80s.

[@robertbishop5357]

@@wildbillharding that's great. What was he like?

[@charlesbarker875]

@@wildbillharding I'm with you Bill, don't think so either.

[@williamspence1294]

Randolph Scott was totally amazing his movies are artwork !

[@JSB1882]

Randolph Scott was my favorite then follows Clint Walker, Jock Mahoney, Sterling Hayden and George Montgomery.

[@williamspence1294]

Yes and I believe he didn't start making movies until his 50' s that's amazing !

[@AWordonWesterns]

@hiram hacklesworth Thanks, Hiram. You, as usual, saved me the effort!

[@richardelliott9511]

Not sure how I missed this episode last year. I have always had a crush on Mariette too, but had no idea of her troubled life. I'm glad that she was able to use that experience to enhance her acting. And yeah, she still looks great to this day. Thanks once again Rob, for allowing me to get to know a little more about all of the great actors that you interview in this series.

[@AWordonWesterns]

thanks, Richard. Glad you found it. Not surprising that you missed it as we've got 400 episodes up on the channel! Every Sunday for years now.

[@richardelliott9511]

@@AWordonWesterns I'm tickled that you continue to respond to our comments. I have been subscribed for a couple of years and try to stay on top of your latest content but sometimes life gets busy and they get away from me. Keep up the great work!

[@JMVideos7676]

Wow, I didn't realize that James Drury had passed away along with so many others. Thanks for keeping all these memories alive.

[@cleopatrasiuman8089]

I was sad about loosing Drury real sad we're loosing the best I watch him every day tonight I'm watching a special all about him😢😢

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

I definitely had a crush on Mariette,she seems to be such a wonderful person.

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

Mariette and James would have been a good couple.

[@Declare57]

Even as a 11-year old boy, I was impressed by this film. And my admiration has been borne out by years of viewing over again. Mariette has always been a favorite. I don't know her but she was the perfect wholesome heroine, which probably bored her as an actor but insured a long and successful career! Happy to see her looking so healthy!

[@Ronin4614]

What a great interview. I'm was so sad to hear that James Drury had passed away. He was ”The Virginian” and the series lives on thanks to the Encore channel’s daily episodes. Thank you again, Rob, for another great Sunday morning interview. Be well and stay safe to all.

[@tarnsand440]

@Lon Spector This interview is 15-20yrs old. Only published on KZbin this year.

[@ronsmith5572]

James Drury was great in The Virginian .

[@JSB1882]

Truly he was "The Virginian" - I hope they never take that away from him. They've tried but nothing ever came close to his portrayal.

[@oab1598]

Informative, emotional, educational entertaining. Great interview and much needed distraction in 2021 global pandemic. Thank you to all. RIP James Drury 👏🏾🙏🏾

[@judypierce7028]

I enjoyed her in Book 3 "Hell and Heaven" of the North South TV Miniseries! She did an awesome job playing a teacher in the miniseries.

[@pjoe1950]

Since the first time I watched this I have seen Mariette in a Gunsmoke. She played a country girl who had a crush on Matt and now this episode is one of my favorites.

[@lsavell01]

I've always liked Mariette Hartley in movies. She was a natural. James Drury was great in the Virginian! That part was made for him. Loved him.

[@leswadley6792]

So great! Don’t make them like her anymore! Such a beautiful soul!

[@anjou6497]

Oh my, Drury was just gorgeous. Never forget him. And she was fabulous. I miss those westerns. 🔥👌⚘

[@williamspence1294]

She's was great on bonanza and can play any role

[@theoutsider4066]

Mariette was in her youth, & still is, a lovely lady

[@efhs1970]

Rob, Mariette Hartley is a fabulous interview as well as a fabulous woman!💫

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes, Larry, thanks. She's talented and lovely.

[@kpdvw]

to overcome advesity is a huge acchievement...! Good for you Mrs. Hartley !

[@philippebryndzia3646]

Was a 10y old kid, when I saw this movie in 75….grew up in a small village in France….but my man was the one and unique……John Davis chandler,totally mesmerized by him and Oates…and I loved the Virginian then.

[@timebandit3478]

Women in Westerns , I find their stories interesting how much they all did. They always make great interviews. Thanks Rob

[@lewisbighuber7029]

She didn't have much to say about the Virginian a great actor boy he had the eyebrows. . I always loved her acting. Her voice was so melodic when she was younger.

[@EldenSmith]

A very enjoyable interview with Mariette Hartley to see this morning. I hope you have a Blessed Happy Easter Rob. And thanks for sharing this. Elden.

[@alfa51301]

Marvelous western, Ride the high Country, 1962,sam Pekimpah, in Spain titled Duelo en la Alta Sierra

[@AWordonWesterns]

Ramon Moreno Thanks, Ramon. In England it was called “Guns in the Afternoon.”

[@garymckee8857]

Sad that another great western actor has passed. I always enjoyed his work. Thanks Rob.

I loved this movie and had such a crush on Mariette! Great memories!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, Rene. Thanks.

[@JOECANDELA22]

My childhood memories of James Drury was watching him every Thursday on ABC at 8:30 pm on "Firehouse" where he portrayed Captain Spike Ryerson. Only lasted 1 season before ABC canned it without giving it a chance but I loved that show and Jim was great on it. RIP Jim Drury.

[@johnallen310]

Thank you Rob.

[@scottjackson1420]

I'd like to know about her career in commercials with the great tv Western star James Garner. How did they get cast together? Were they friends? How many commercials did they make?

[@samanthab1923]

Scott Jackson I was just going to say I'll always remember her with James Garner in the Polaroid ads.

[@Miatacrosser]

When Marriette Hartley says, "I'm from Coarsegold", she is talking about a small community just north of Fresno, California where Samuel Peckenpaw was raised as a boy on his grandfather's ranch.

[@maryshelly4377]

Loved red shoes,I love you as actress.Beautiful lady 💝💝💝

[@colinwestwood921]

Brilliant film. Brilliantly performed by fantastic actors / actress's. 🙌

[@rickhale4348]

I remember the Virginian from the 60s. People younger than me don't know the past as my generation does. Maybe cell phones, computers, and the way the world is only leaves time for the moment. A belief in God and Jesus was taken for granted. There was an innocents, especially for children. Loosing people like James Drury makes the world a little emptier and sad for my generation. The world is different in ways we have never seen before. Dark and deadly days are ahead. Biblical prophecies are occurring and one of those prophecies is that people will reject the warnings and truth. The evil times like the days before the flood and geological and cosmic events that have not occurred since the foundations of the world. People will be scared and vulnerable making the worst of decisions ignoring God.

[@dianealbrecht496]

He was a no nonsense cowboy, & sexy as hell. I so remember him back in the day. RIP.

[@Madmanmarque]

Wonderfully sweet interview. I recently started watching The Virginian again before I learned of Mr. Drury's passing. I got the biggest kick out of hearing that Warren Oats was offended at Ms. Hartley swearing. In all his portrayals, you would have thought the other way around!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Damn right!

[@tarnsand440]

Actually I've heard from costars interviews that Warren Oates was a quiet man very much the southern gentleman. I guess that shows what a good actor he was.

[@ronsmith5572]

There one western I haven't seen you do and that is "The Texan" with Rory Calhoun which I really enjoyed watching .

[@KutWrite]

I think I first discovered Ms Hartley on either Twilight Zone or Outer Limits. Later, I loved her on Rockford Files. Something about her just grabbed me, maybe a kind of strength through pain. Turns out that was really her!

[@dianecruz9626]

Very well known and loved by all.

[@MsBenlane]

wish she'd write a book as she's very articulate and interesting.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes, she is, MsB. Pick up a copy of her best selling autobiography, "Breaking the Silence" Putnams

[@jozatexan1964]

Priceless, delightful.

[@Storyteller74133]

This was one of thee best episodes.

[@IanThaddiam]

She is great. I loved her as a kid. Talk about somebody you'd love to have dinner with. Such a fantastic raconteur. [Your deftness, Rob, in drawing the tales out of these great storytellers goes without saying.]

[@IanThaddiam]

Good Lord. Just checked IMDb. No wonder she is so impressed into our memories: she did virtually every show that was filmed in the sixties, seventies and eighties.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks, Ian. Ain't she a pip!

[@artmanjohn2]

I like you grew up in the Fort Worth, Texas in the 50's and 60s, just turned 70 last November, I look good for my age too, you got a lot more hair! lol. I love your channel, brings back great memories, it was truly a magical time to grow up. Keep up the great work, can't get enough!

[@AWordonWesterns]

Thanks for sharing, artman. Still watching all our goodies?

[@artmanjohn2]

@@AWordonWesterns Oh yea, Always! Thanks ((:

[@pamelakain9368]

A great interview.

[@ricciisreal5773]

How many of us didn’t have a crush on Mariette?

[@casualobserver3145]

Oh my goodness yes. My favorite is her original Star Trek appearance as the cave woman, Zarabeth. She’s also got a very unique voice.

[@AmericasChoice]

Frankly, I always thought she was odd looking.

[@richelliott9320]

Both Spock and the hulk fell in love with her!

[@judydennison7477]

Very insightful, very interesting. Very raw.

[@robertsmith6068]

thanks for your channel and all the memories.

[@JW...-oj5iw]

I watched an episode of The Virginian yesterday. It had a different cast than what I remembered in my youth Lee J. Cobb wasn't in it, but another older actor was cast in the role of the ranch owner. Doug McClure was still in the cast and Clu Gulagher was listed in the main cast, as well as a young lady named Sara Lane. The episode had Drury away from the ranch, so he was the only regular member in the episode. Mark Richman played against James and the story line was about impossible to follow without staying glued to the set. Unfortunately, I had too many distractions. Reading that James Drury finished his time on this set on the anniversary of my birth is somewhat saddening, but none of us is getting out alive. RIP to Jim and all our friends who preceded him. Thank you, Rob for our Sunday Word service. LL&P.

[@valmor1073]

Great interview

[@russelldriscoll2603]

Happy Easter Rob....thank you.

[@jerryknorr679]

Great interview wasn't a big fan of her but she did very good in the westerns.

[@cherylrichards8951]

It was a shame the Emmys didn't recognize Mr. Drury's death or contribution to television.

[@terriselph4100]

I agree. James Drury always gave a phenomenal performance.

[@sugarblossom3141]

Great interview but was hoping she would discuss working with James Arness on Gunsmoke.

[@bobwallace1880]

Wasn't she in 6 Gunsmoke Episodes? Great interview! Love your channel, keep up the good work.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Yes! Thank you!

[@davidp4043]

Super stuff Really enjoyed this rob, Only watched the movie on T.C.M last week. Keep these superb interviews a comin. Stay safe, Dave in Ireland.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you enjoyed it, dave. Thanks.

[@dorothadavis3117]

There are NO actors like yesteryear, only POS that are evil and I have NO words how I feel about the actors of today ,

[@richardmckrell4899]

She looks pretty good.

[@joyobrien3820]

Love Mariette Hartley. I esleciallg loved her opposite Lee van Cleef in 2 films.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Me, too. Thanks, Joy

[@richelliott9320]

I never saw this movie sure a lot of great character actors in it

[@elliotskydel641]

You must see it. It's on often enough. May be the classic western.

[@williamspence1294]

Can you give info about how to obtain some of the old western movie posters ?

[@AWordonWesterns]

One of the best places is Bruce Hershenson's eMoviePosters. Go to: eMoviePoster.com He's been around a long time and is honest, fair and has auctions going on all the time with a very wide selection. I'm bidding on some items now! There's also Heritage Auctions out of Texas. Lots to chose from. What titles are you looking for?

[@williamspence1294]

Thank you

[@williamspence1294]

Also can you'll do a story on a great western fastest gun alive with glen ford that would be totally awesome

[@AWordonWesterns]

@@williamspence1294 Would love to but the only person still around from that film, Russ Tamblyn, continually tells me no interviews until his book comes out. Hope it's soon!

[@deannaedmondson1963]

Great actress

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

OMG! How could ANYBODY mistreat Mariette Hartley!!?? 😡

[@richelliott9320]

She was such a hottie. Both David Bannon and Spock fell in love with her!

[@raulxphotoart9017]

God bless you MS. Hartley. I'm sure there are folks out there that appreciate you coming forward about your emotions and troubled relationship. Continue don't wish you the best. Amen

[@tarnsand440]

Yes Mariette was diagnosed as Bipolar.

[@randolphlearning5255]

Happy Easter Rob. I wish you and yours health and safety. The western spirit will get us through this together. Thanks for this weeks installment.

[@patrickfennell6372]

Always wondered how the Virginian cashed a check, got hired and got away with not giving away his given name.

[@Jojodancer20100]

@@robertsprouse9282 U a damn liar!!!!!!!!.

[@kingforaday8725]

I remember the rumor she and James Garner were married because of the camera commercials.

[@davidmahin874]

Got to get more Virginian dvds seasons

[@tarnsand440]

Ok I'm puzzled because I just watched an interview before this one again with Rob Word done later than this one with Mariette where she says more than once that Shenandoah was her first film. Now here she is saying Ride the High Country was her first film...?

[@AWordonWesterns]

Sorry, Tarn. You're confusing Mariette with Rosemary Forsyth. I've been lucky to have had both of these talented actresses on our show.

[@tarnsand440]

@@AWordonWesterns You are correct..my apology.

[@elliotskydel641]

Ride was earlier. She also did television before Ride. She was not an unknown.

[@DustinBlythe]

She looks very much the same as she did in the film!

[@richardbowers3647]

One has to re-invent themselves with the PTSD experience. That's how she got thru it!!! I'm guessing??

[@geoprof6993]

I always find valuable one actor's perspective on the actors they work with. Hartley's discourse reveals much less or nothing about Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea, James Drury, John Anderson, R.G. Armstrong. Hartley' speaks mostly about herself. So sad.

[@tarnsand440]

Mariette was diagnosed as Bipolar. She has suffered from sometimes severe emotional behaviour swings her entire acting career. You'll find many interview info isn't consistent recall which is understandable given her diagnosis.

[@elliotskydel641]

Agree. Great interviewee but they were legendary. What was her take on them?

[@williamspence1294]

Ok thanks for the update

[@AWordonWesterns]

No problem

[@AmericasChoice]

Survivor.

[@woodsinme]

Wow so cool. Really enjoy your videos Mr. Word.

[@AWordonWesterns]

Glad you like them, woody. Thanks.

[@zabaleta66]

Gorgeous young woman.